Originally Posted by
clunckdriver
Now that the creator of this absurd piece of mumbo jumbo has retired lets hope it reverts to being a "Pilot or Aicrew Lic" so we dont have to explain to the rest of the world, "yes, we really are the pilots" which has hapened to me severall times since the introduction of this absurd document , While they are at it, how about combining the radio Lic with it, I dont care that it is a seperate government department, JUST FIX IT!!! There, now I feel much better!
Since the booklet contains more than just a licence, calling it a licence would be inaccurate. It was created for two reasons. First was in response to an ICAO requirement that all information that relates to a flight crew member's aviation qualifications and medical fitness be located in one place. Second was to make forgery more difficult. Let's face it, the old ones were quite easy to duplicate. The booklet has essentially the same security features as our passports and they're difficult to forge.
Re the radio licence, I agree that it's not ideal but since the Minister of Transport does not establish or enforce the regulatory requirements for use of radio spectrum in Canada, they have no authority to issue a radio operator certificate. The last time I checked, the Ministry of Health doesn't issue my driver's licence, even though my ability to drive safely could affect my (or someone else's) health.